Ganged sewing machines



Oct. 26, 1965 R. J. BOSER 3,213,814

GANGED SEWING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.2

- Will 31 31 11 INVENTOR. Ronald J. Boser ATTORNEY Oct. 26, 1965 R. J.BOSER 3,21

GANGED SEWING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Ronald J. Boser ATTORNEY Oct. 26, 1965 R. J. BOSER GANGED SEWINGMACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 25, 1962 INVENTOR. Ronald J. BoserATTORNEY Oct. 26, 1965 R. J. BOSER GANGED SEWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet4 Filed April 25, 1962 FIG. 8

INVENTOR. Ronald J. Boser ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,213,814 GANGEDSEWING MACHINES Ronald J. Boser, Huntington, N.Y., assignor to E. & W.Mfg. (30., Inc, New York, N.Y. Filed Apr. 25, 1962, Ser. No. 199,165 3Claims. (Ci. ll2155) This invention relates in general to the sewingmachine art, and more specifically to ganged sewing machines, andimproved feed means for feeding a work piece to the sewing station ofthe respective machines.

Heretofore, efforts have been made to gang several sew ing machines, sothat each would successively perform its respective sewing operation ona given work piece, under the operation of a single operator. However,all prior known attempts to gang several sewing machines tosimultaneously perform successive and distinct sewing operations underthe control of a single operator have not proven practical.

In gang sewing for simultaneously and successively performing severaldistinct sewing operations, it is essential that each of the sewingmachines be placed in synchronization so that the work piece may beproperly guided and advanced at the same rate by the sewing needles ofthe respective machines. Synchronization of such ganged sewing machinesheretofore has proven to be extremely dilficult because the feedingmechanisms of the respective sewing machines were maintained separateand distinct. For this reason, feeding of the work piece to therespective sewing machine was not uniform. Consequently, there is notnow known a practical means for synchronizing the operation of severalganged machines for simultaneously and successively performing distinctsewing operations to produce a satisfactory seam.

Also with feed mechanisms now employed in sewing machines, extremedifficulties have been encountered in feeding, for example two workpieces of relative thicknesses, which are required to be sewn together,under the sewing needle of a sewing machine. For example, in the makingof ladies undergarments and the like, it is essential that a relativelythick binding be oftentimes sewn to the edge of lace, mesh, or otherrelatively smooth or thin material. In such instances the feeding of twopieces having a relative thickness seldom can be uniform with known feeddog arrangements. Thus constant attention on the part of an operator isrequired to assure that the two pieces are properly fed under the sewingneedles. Further, the operator must constantly guide two such pieces toinsure the formation of a uniform seam. Also it has been observed thatwhen seams of non-uniform thickness, e.g. when a portion of a seam isrequired to be folded over onto itself so that the thickness of thepiece at the point of sewing is substantially increased, results in abinding or a slowing down in the feed rate of the thickened portion ofthe seam. As a result, such binding or uneven feeding of two materialsof relative thicknesses, further complicated the problem of gaugingsewing machines together.

Also with the conventional feed mechanisms of known sewing machines,some difiiculty has been encountered when elastic materials are beingsewn to each other or to a non-elastic material. Because of theconventional feed means wherein a presser foot maintains a force on theelastic material in the sewing station as the feed dog, within itsfour-way feeding action, intermittently advances the elastic work piece,there is an inherent tendency of the feed dog to induce a stretch in theelastic material during the sewing operation. As a result, the elasticmaterial is sewn to the other piece in a partly extended or stretchedcondition. Thus, in a finished seam the elastic material is partiallystretched. As a result, the elasticity of the elastic material isadversely affected.

3,213,814 Patented Get. 26, 1965 Therefore, an object of this inventionis to provide a ganged sewing machine in which a plurality of separateand distinct sewing machines are operatively connected so that thesewing operation of the respective machines are perfectly synchronized.

Another object is to provide in a ganged sewing machine a novel feedingmechanism which is common to each of the sewing machines in a given gangand which feeding mechanism is connected in direct driving relationshipwith only one machine of the gang.

Another object is to provide a novel feed mechanism constructed andarranged so as to be common to each of the sewing means in the gang andoperative so as to be synchronized with the sewing needles of therespective machines.

Another object is to provide in a ganged sewing machine a novel meansfor synchronizing the sewing operation of the respective machines in arelatively simple, inexpensive and positive manner.

Another object is to provide a novel means for ganging conventionalsewing machines without necessitating any major alteration ormodification of the respective sewing machines.

Still another object is to provide for the uniform feeding of aplurality of work pieces having relative thicknesses and which are to besewn together at a substantially uniform rate to a sewing station of asewing machine.

In accordance with this invention the foregoing objects, and otherfeatures and advantages are attained by the arrangement of two or moresewing machines disposed in tandem on a suitable support or table andconnected in driving relationship with one another by a suitable drivemeans. A power means is connected in driving relationship to one of themachines. Preferably the power means is connected in drivingrelationship to the last in line machine by a belt drive. Thus, uponactuation of the power means under the control of a single operator, theoperation of each machine in the gang will be affected. To synchronizethe sewing operation of the respective machines, and to facilitate thefeeding of the work pieces which are to be sewn together, successivelyto each of the sewing machines, a novel feeding means is provided. Inaccordance with this invention, an endless conveyor means is arranged sothat one of its flights passes under the presser feet of the respectivesewing machines. Accordingly, the endless conveyor passes over suitablerollers, one of which is connected in driving relation to the feedoperator of one of the sewing machines.

In accordance with this invention a unidirectional, double throw clutchis operatively connected between the driving roller 0f the conveyormeans and the feed operator of the driving sewing machine. In operation,the movement of the conveyor is such that the intermittent advance orfeed of the conveyor means relative to each machine is the same, theoperation of the conveyor means being timed to the operation of theneedle of the respective machines. Thus, in effect, the conveyor servesas a common feed dog for each of the machines in the gang.

Operatively associated with the conveyor means at the sewing station ofthe respective sewing means are pressure roller means which cooperatewith the conveyor to feed the work piece to be joined under the sewingneedles of the respective sewing machine. In accordance with thisinvention, a pair of pressure rollers, one being disposed on oppositesides of the needle at the sewing station of the respective machine areprovided. Each of the rollers are separate and distinct and each isindependently biased toward the conveyor so as to be disposed in rollingengagement therewith. Thus in the feeding of the work piece to therespective needles, the work pieces to be joined are progressivelyadvanced by the cooperative effect of the conveyor and cooperatingpressure rollers. Because each of the pressure rollers are independentlybiased toward the conveyor, work pieces of relative thickness may beuniformly advanced between their particular pressure roller and conveyormeans with equal facility and each, therefore, advances at the samerate, regardless of their thickness. Further, the co-action of thepressure rollers and the conveyor is such that the feeding of an elasticbinding material past the respective needles may be accomplished withoutinducing a stretch in the elastic work piece. Thus the elastic workpiece may be sewn to a complementary piece in its completely distendedcondition.

A feature of this invention resides in the arrangement of an endlessconveyor having one of its flights common to each of the sewing machinesin the gang, and which conveyor is operatively connected to aunidirectional clutch means operatively connected in drivingrelationship to feed mechanism of one of the machines in the gang.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision that theendless conveyor facilitates the feeding of successive work pieces toeach of the respective machines in a continuous assembly line manner soas to require a minimum of handling.

Another feature resides in the provision that only minimum machinemodification or alteration is required to accommodate a conventionalsewing machine to the gang sewing arrangement in accordance with thisinvention.

Another feature resides in the provision of an improved means forfeeding a plurality of work pieces, required to be sewn together, to thesewing station of a sewing means.

A specific feature of this invention resides in the provision of anendless conveyor means and cooperating pressure rollers for advancingtherebetween the work pieces to the sewing station of a sewing machine.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of apair of pressure rollers, one disposed in line on either side of thesewing needles, and each cooperating with an endless conveyor forfeeding a work piece to the sewing needle, wherein each of the pressurerollers are independently biased in rolling engagement with the conveyorand work piece transported thereby.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings and specification, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the gang sewing machine of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the other end view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatical perspective view of the essential features ofthe gang sewing machine of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of one of the gangedsewing machines illustrating the cooperating pressure rollers of theinstant invention;

FIG. 7 is an end view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail of one of the pressure rollers per se;having portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 9 is the left end view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a work piece formed of two pieces of material havingrelative thicknesses.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in accordance with thisinvention an improved ganged sewing machine 10. The machine 10 inessence comprises a suitable frame or support 11 having a top 12supported on a plurality of leg supports 13. Supported on the platformportion 12A of the top 12 are a plurality of sewing machines 14, 15. Inthe illustrated embodiment the sewing machines are disposed in tandem.It will be understood that any reasonable number of sewing machines maybe mounted in tandem on the table top 12.

However, for the purpose of illustration and description the showing ofonly two such sewing machines 14, 15 will suffice.

Each of the sewing machines 14, 15, it will be understood, may be of anywell known construction e.g. a Singer type sewing machine or the like.Each of the sewing machines 14, 15 is of conventional construction,except as herein modified. Generally, each sewing machine 14, 15includes a main drive shaft 14A, 15A, a head pulley 14B, 15B connectedwith their respective drive shafts, a needle bar 14C, 15C connected totheir respective drive shafts by the usual crank and pitman 14D, 15D,and a needle 14E, 15E carried by the respective needle bars. Operativelyassociated with each of the needles are pressure rollers 14F, 13F, to beherein described. A feed dog operator 15G, operatively connected to themain drive shaft 15A of machine 15, serves .to effect the driving of thenovel feed means, as will be hereinafter described.

In accordance with this invention each of the sewing machines 14, 15 areconnected in driving relationship to one another. This is attained by adrive belt 16 passing over appropriate pulleys 14B, 15B which areconnected to the drive shafts 14A, 15A of the respective machines. Toprevent slippage a timing belt 16 formed with a series of transverselyextending lands 16A and grooves 16B is preferred. Accordingly, the lands16A and grooves 16B mesh with complementary lands and grooves formed onpulleys 14B, 15B. Thus positive non-slip drive is assured.

Means for driving the sewing machines thus coupled in drivingrelationship, as above described, includes a suitable motor 17 which isconnected by a belt drive 18 to a second pulley 19 connected to thedrive shaft of one of the sewing machines. In the illustrated embodimentthe motor 1'7 is connected in driving relationship with the last in linemachine 15.

In order that the sewing machines 14, 15 may be operated so that eachmay successively and simultaneously perform a sewing operation on agiven work piece, a novel conveyor means 20, common to each of themachines 14, 15 is provided. As shown in the drawing, the conveyor meanscomprises an endless conveyor 20 threaded over a driving roller 21 atone end and over a driven roller 22 at the other end thereof. Interposedbetween the driving roller 21 and driven rollers 22 is a tension roller23. In accordance with this invention, it will be noted that theconveyor 20 is disposed so that one of its flights 20A passes under thepresser feet 14F, 15F of each machine.

In order to provide space for the sewing needle or needles 14E, 15E, theconveyor 26 is formed in at least two sections 24 and 25. One section 24is disposed on one side of the needles and the other section 25 of theconveyor 20 is disposed on the other side of the sewing needle 14E, 15E,in spaced relationship to the conveyor section 24. Normally, the outerportion 25 of the conveyor is formed of greater width than the innerportion 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer portion 25 may be formed inseveral parts 25A, 25B, 25C, of relatively narrow widths. However, asingle width belt may be used in llieu of the narrow Widths 25A, 25B and25C.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer portion 25 of the conveyor 20is formed of several parts, thus the width of the outer portion of theconveyor may be readily adjusted to any given width. Each portion of theconveyor 24, 25 is formed of a flexible timing belt meshing with thecooperating drive and driven rollers 21, 22.

In accordance with this invention means are provided for driving thedrive roller 21 of the conveyor means 20 so that the work pieces may beproperly fed under the needles of the respective machines. This meansincludes a unidirectional, double throw, clutch 26 operatively connectedin driving relationship to the drive roller 21 of the conveyor means 20.The clutch 26 is provided with an overriding feature to preventbacklash, such clutch means being a well known article of commerce, andtherefore, a description thereof is not required for an understanding ofthe invention.

In accordance with this invention the clutch 26 is operatively connectedto the feed dog operator of one of the sewing machines by a suitablelinkage assembly 27. In the illustrated embodiment the clutch 26 isoperatively connected to the feed dog operator 156 of the last in linemachine 15. I As shown in FIG. 5, the feed dog operator G is connectedto the drive shaft 15A of the machine 15 by a suitable connecting link15H which will transform the rotary motion of the drive shaft 15A to anoscillating of the feed dog operator 156, and the oscillating movementof the feed dog 156 in turn is transmitted through linkage assembly 27to the clutch 26 to effect an intermittent unidirectional drive of thedrive roller 21, and consequently intermittent advance of the associatedconveyor sections 24, 25.

Thus it will be apparent that the conveyor as described will, in effect,function as a common feed dog for each of the machines so that the workpiece carried thereon can be properly fed to each of the machines.

Connected to each of the sewing machines 14, 15 are cooperating pressureroller means 14F, 15F operatively associated with the conveyor means 20for feeding the material or work pieces to be sewn therebetween.

The pressure roller means 14F and 15F of the respective machines aresimilar in construction, and therefore the description of one willsuflice for an understanding of their structure and function.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 10, the pressure roller means 14F comprises apair of pressure rollers and 31, each of which is individually mountedand disposed on opposite sides of the needle 14E. As shown roller 36 isrotatably mounted on a bracket 32 which is secured to the presser footbar 33 of sewing machine 14. The roller 30 comprises a cylinder sleeve30A having a knurled outer surface, and which sleeve is rotatablyjournaled by means of bearing races 34 on an axle 35 fixed to bracket32. Thus it will be apparent that the pressure foot bar 33 will urge thepressure roller 30 toward the conveyor belt portion 24 in the operativeposition thereof.

Fixed to the free end of axle 35 is a hub 36 which has connected theretoan arcuate flange segment 37. At the bottom of the flange segment thereis provided an elongated slot 38 through which the needle 14E passesdurin g the sewing operation. As shown in FIG. 6, the width of theflange segment 37 is equal to substantially the distance betweenconveyor portions 24, 25. Thus, the flange segments 37 serve as thepresser foot.

The other pressure roller 31 is mounted to a bracket assembly 40 fixedto the end of the machine 14. As shown the bracket assembly 40 comprisesa pair of spaced guide bars 41 defining a guideway 41A which is closedat the upper end by a cross plate 42, the latter being provided with .atapped hole 43 for receiving an adjusting screw 44.

Between the guide bars 41 is a slide bar 45, which is free to slide inthe guide way 41A, and a cover plate 46 serves to maintain the slide barwithin the guide way 41A.

As shown the slide bar is urged toward the conveyor portion 24 by aspring 47 positioned between the top of the slide bar 45 and the crossplate 42. To maintain the spring 47 in position, the top of the slidebar 45 is provided with a bore 48 to define a seat for the spring 47. Aguide pin 49 extends into the convolution of the coil spring 47, pin 49having a head which is spaced from cross plate 42. As shown, spring 47urges the pin 49 into engagement with the end of the adjusting screw 44.Thus by a turn of the adjusting screw 44 the load on the spring 47 canbe varied accordingly.

Connected to the lower end of the slide bar 45 is pressure roller 31.Pressure roller 31 comprises a knurled sleeve rotatably journaled toaxle 50, in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described withreference to roller 36. Each of the rollers 30, 31 are thusindependently biased toward the conveyor means. Also, it is to be notedthat the tangent point of the respective rollers, i.e. the point or lineabout which the respective pressure rollers 30, 31 rotate, are disposedin a line coincident with the needle.

The arrangement is such that during a sewing operation the work pieces,60, 61 (FIG. 11) which are to be sewn together are fed under therespective needles 14E, 15E by passing between the conveyor means 20,and the pressure rollers 30, 31 disposed in free rolling engagementtherewith. Thus the rollers 30, 31 which are individually biased towardtheir respective conveyor portions 24, 25 maintain the tension necessaryto feed the material or work pieces 60, 61 during a sewing operation.

With the construction described, two work pieces of relative thicknesscan be readily fed at the same rate, and thereby can be properly sewn toresult in a smooth and uniform seam 63. For example, as shown in FIG.11, a relatively thick binding 61 can be sewn to a relatively thin,lacey type material 62 with a smooth uniform seam 63. Because therespective rollers 30, 31 are individually biased toward the conveyormeans, each work piece may be advanced at the same rate. Further bindingof the work piece because of any abnormal thickness in passing under thesewing needle is for all practical purposes eliminated. Thus, foldingattachments or other attachments may be interposed between the sewingstations of the respective machines, so that each machine maysuecessively nad simultaneously perform a separate and distinctoperation or" several operations which may be required to form afinished garment, all under the attention of but a single operator.

In some instances, depending on the thickness of the materials or workpieces to be sewn, it may be desirable to provide a presser foot whichis not integrally formed with one of the rollers, as for example roller30, as hereinbefore described. In such instances, the separate presserfoot may be mounted on the presser foot bar 33 of the machine as isgenerally conventional with standard machines. In such cases, the roller30 may be independently mounted on a bracket assembly similar inconstruction to the bracket assembly 40, mounting roller 31 ashereinbefore described. With this arrangement it will be noted that bothrollers, and the distinct presser foot disposed therebetween are thusindependently spring loaded.

If desired, means are provided to simultaneously lift the respectiverollers off the conveyors as the presser foot is raised. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 an L-shaped bracket 64 having leg 64A thereof fixed to theslide bar 45 and having the other leg 64B thereof extending along theback of the machine. Leg 648 is suitably coupled to the presser foot bar33, and a camming lever 65 is operatively associated with the foot bar33 in a manner well known, so that movement of the lever in onedirection will cam the presser foot bar 33 and roller 30, and the sildebar 45 with connected roller 31 upwardly against the bias of theirrespective spring biasing means. If desired, lever 65 may be operativelyconnected with a knee actuator through the interconnection thereof bysuitable linkage arrangement, as is well known, so that an operator maylift the rollers 30, 31 and the associated presser foot without the useof hands.

With the construction described a single operator may simultaneouslyperform two or more sewing operations on a work piece. The describedarrangement is susceptible of performing most any sewing operation thata single machine may do. Each of the sewing machines may have one ormore needles for forming either single seam sewing or multiple seamsewing or any combination therof. If desired, suitable attachements maybe interposed between machines for folding the work piece or forotherwise automatically preparing or positioning it for performing thenext successive sewing operation by the machine next in line. Also, theconveyor associated with the multiple sewing machine arrangement hereindescribed minimizes handlings, since the work pieces may be depositedautomatically in a suitable bin or collector disposed at the end of theconveyor. Thus, in a mass production operation, actual count of anoperators work can be readily ascertained with a minimum of handling.

Further, the cooperating feed rollers greatly enhance the feeding of thework pieces with a maximum of ease. When two or more work pieces are tobe sewn together, each may be fed by the co-action between the conveyorportions 24, 25 and their associated pressure rollers 30, 31. Theindividually biased pressure rollers permit uniform feeding of materialwork pieces of varying thicknesses. Also, the pressure rollers permitthe feeding of elastic material without inducing any stretch thereinduring a sewing operation. In essence, the ganged machine arrangementand the improved feeding means therefor is relatively simple instructure, relatively easy to assemble and position in operation.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to aparticular embodiment, it is to be appreciated that the invention is notto be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modificationsand variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for simultaneously performing a series of successive sewingoperations on a work piece compris ing a frame, at least a pair ofsewing machines mounted on said frame one behind the other, each of saidsewing machines including a main driving shaft, an operatively connectedneedle bar, a means operatively connecting said driving shaft to theneedle bar, a pair of pressure roller means, a motor means connected indriving relationship to one of said machines, means connecting saidother machine in timed driving relationship to said motor driven machinewhereby the needles of the respective machines reciprocate in unison, anendless conveyor having spaced flights, one of said flights passingbeneath the pair of pressure roller means of each sewing machine, meansfor individually biasing each of the respective pair of roller meansrelative to said flight passing therebeneath, and means for adjustingthe bias on each of said roller means, said conveyor having portionsdisposed on either side of the needles of said sewing machines, meansfor synchronizing the movement of said conveyor portions with the sewingneedle of each of said machines, said synchronizing means including adrive roller for driving said conveyor, unidirectional drive meansoperatively connected with said drive roller whereby said conveyor isintermittently advanced, and means operatively connecting saidunidirectional drive means to said main drive shaft of said motor drivenmachine, whereby said conveyor functions as a common feed dog for eachof said machines to effect synchronization of the sewing operation ofthe respective machines.

2. In combination, a pair of sewing machines each having a sewing needleand means for reciprocating said needle wherein the respective needlesof said machines are simultaneously reciprocated in timed relationship,feed means for feeding two work pieces adapted to be sewn together undersaid needle, said feed means comprising an endless conveyor, saidconveyor including a pair of endless belts, each belt being positionedon opposite sides of the respective needles of said machines in spacedrelationship, a pair of pressure rollers mounted on each of saidmachines, one each of said pair of pressure rollers being operativelyassociated with one of said endless belts, means for individuallybiasing each of said pressure rollers into driving relationship with itsassociated belt, and means for intermittently advancing each of saidbelts in synchronization with the operation of said sewing needleswhereby the co-action of said conveyor belt position and associatedpressure rollers feed therebetween the work piece past said sewingneedle.

3. A machine for simultaneously performing a series of successive sewingoperations on a work piece comprising a frame, at least a pair of sewingmachines mounted on said frame one behind the other, each of said sewingmachines including a main driving shaft, a needle bar operativelyconnected to said driving shaft, a motor means connected in drivingrelationship to one of said machines, means connecting said othermachine in timed driving relationship to said motor driven machinewhereby the needles of the respective machines reciprocate in unison, anendless conveyor having spaced 'fiights, one of said flights passing thesewing station of each sewing machine, said conveyor having a portionthereof disposed on either side of the needles of said sewing machines,means synchronizing the movement of said conveyor with the sewing ofeach of said machines, said synchronizing means including a drive rollerand a driven roller for driving said conveyor, a unidirectional clutchmeans operatively connected with said drive roller whereby said conveyoris intermittently advanced, and means operatively connecting saidunidirectional clutch means to said main drive shaft, a pressure rollermeans including a pair of rollers, each of said pair of rollers beingdisposed on opposite sides of the needle of each machine, means forindividually mounting and biasing each of said pressure rollers intodriving relationship with said conveyor where the co-action of saidconveyor and feed rollers feed the work piece under the sewing needles,said mounting and biasing means including a bracket adapted to beconnected to the end of each sewing machine adjacent the sewing needlethereof, each of said brackets including a pair of spaced guide bars todefine therebetween a guide way, a cross-bar connected across the top ofsaid guide bars, said cross bar having a tapped hole therein, a slidebar disposed between said guide bars, one of said pair of pressurerollers rotatably journaled to the lower end of said slide bar, a springdisposed between the upper end of said slide bar and said cross bar, anda load adjusting screw threaded through said tapped hole of said crossbar to engage said spring so that adjustment of said screw varies theload of said spring on said slide bar.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,615,042 1/27Rush 112235 1,658,915 2/28 Baynard 112-235 1,809,460 6/31 Weis 11221,960,721 5/34 Webb 112-2 2,004,080 6/35 Roby 112-2 2,520,002 8/50Gerstein 112-203 2,797,656 7/57 Reid 1122 2,891,496 6/59 Kunes 112 2142,892,427 6/59 Winberg 112-203 X 3,026,833 3/62 Schreck et al 1122143,130,844 4/64 Robinson et al 112-203 X ROBERT V. SLOAN, PrimaryExaminer.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, JORDAN FRANKLIN,

Examiners,

1. A MACHINE FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY PERFORMING A SERIES OF SUCCESSIVE SEWINGOPERATIONS ON A WORK PIECE COMPRISING A FRAME, AT LEAST A PAIR OF SEWINGMACHINES MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME ONE BEHIND THE OTHER, EACH OF SAID SEWINGMACHINES INCLUDING A MAIN DRIVING SHAFT, AN OPERATIVELY CONNECTED NEEDLEBAR, A MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID DRIVING SHAFT TO THE NEEDLEBAR, A PAIR OF PRESSURE ROLLER MEANS, A MOTOR MEANS CONNECTED IN DRIVINGRELATIONSHIP TO ONE OF SAID MACHINES, MEANS CONNECTING SAID OTHERMACHINE IN TIMED DRIVING RELATIONSHIP TO SAID MOTOR DRIVEN MACHINEWHEREBY THE NEEDLES OF THE RESPECTIVE MACHINES RECIPROCATE IN UNISON,AND ENDLESS CONVEYOR HAVING SPACED FLIGHTS, ONE OF SAID FLIGHTS PASSINGBENEATH THE PAIR OF PRESSURE ROLLER MEANS OF EACH SWING MACHINE, MEANSFOR INDIVIDUALLY BIASING EACH OF THE RESPECTIVE PAIR OF ROLLER MEANSRELATIVE TO SAID FLIGHT PASSING THEREBENEATH, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTINGTHE BIAS ON EACH OF SAID ROLLER MEANS, SAID CONVEYOR HAVING PORTIONUSDISPOSED ON EITHER SIDE OF THE NEEDLES OF SAID SEWING MACHINES, MEANSFOR SYNCHRONIZING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID CONVEYOR PORTIONS WITH THE SEWINGNEEDLE OF EACH OF SAID MACHINES, SAID SYNCHRONIZING MEANS INCLUDINMG ADRIVE ROLLER FOR DRIVING SAID CONVEYOR, UNIDIRECTIONAL DRIVE MEANSOPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID DRIVE ROLLER WHEREBY SAID CONVEYOR ISINTERMITTENTLY ADVANCED, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAIDUNDIRECTIONAL DRIVE MEANS TO SAID MAIN DRIVE SHAFT OF SAID MOTOR DRIVENMACHINE, WHEREBY SAID CONVEYOR FUNCTIONS AS A COMMON FEED DOG FOR EACHOF SAID MACHINES TO EFFECT SYNCHRONIZATION OF THE SEWING OPERATION OFTHE RESPECTIVE MACHINES.